Pro-life and pro-choice protesters hold a candlelight vigil outside parliament in Ireland as lawmakers debate a bill on abortion.

Pro-life and pro-choice protesters hold a candlelight vigil outside parliament in Ireland as lawmakers debate a bill on abortion.

Demonstrators from both sides of the abortion debate held a candlelight vigil outside the Irish parliament building on Wednesday night as lawmakers toiled away inside over what could become the country's first law legalizing abortion.

The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill would allow a woman the right to terminate her pregnancy - but only if her life was at risk.

The 20 year old debate over abortion was rekindled last year when a woman died after being denied an abortion.

Lawmakers had been debating the issue for the better part of Wednesday, but called a recess early Thursday morning.

The bill is expected to pass when they return for a vote later in the day.